FACT AND FANCY 



BY 

BERNICE L. HAYWARD 



THE BOOKERY PUBLISHING COMPANY 
NEW YORK 






Copyright, 1913, 

by 

Bernice L. Hay ward 



AUG 24 1914 

©CI.A378625 



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CONTENTS 

PAGE 

A Youthful Couple 5 

Mammy's Baby 6 

Paintings 7 

One Touch of Nature 9 

Wait; Trust 10 

Evenin' 11 

Little by Little 13 

Hope 14 

Sunset in the Country 15 

Hiram's Family 17 

Life and the Seasons 19 

In the Farm House 21 

Pore Little Coon 23 

My Dream 25 

To-Morrow 27 



A YOUTHFUL COUPLE 

They wandered together, side by side, 

Away from the noisy crowd. 
They talked on, unconscious of listening ears, 

Their laughter rang clear and loud. 

He made her a wreath of bright wild flowers 

And placed it upon her hair, 
And I can with honesty say to you 

That she was both sweet and fair. 

But while they were sitting side by side 

A lady came walking by, 
And, leaving their flowers, they both arose, 

And parted without a sigh. 

For folks do not leave them by themselves, 
To stay 'till their chat is through, 

As he is as yet but a four-year-old, 
And she is a lass of two. 



MAMMY'S BABY 

Walk yo'se'f right heah, my pickaninny, 
Mammy's gwine ter rock yo' now fo' sho, 

Quick as she picks up dat heap of playthings 
Layin' all about dis cabin flo'. 

Now, yo' cuddle down, an' quit yo' wigglin', 
Shut yo' eyes, an' don' yo' take a peep. 

B rudder Fox am mighty sho' to git yo' 
If he comes an' yo' aint gone to sleep. 

In de cotton field jes hear de singin', 
Daddy'll be a comin' pretty soon; 

Hi dar, nigga ! Don' pertend yo's sleepin' ! 
'Gar to goodness, yo's a foxy coon ! 

My, but yo' does make such heaps of trouble, 
Keep me on de move de live long day. 

Honey, if yo' doesn't quit dem actions, 
Mammy's woolly head'll all turn gray. 

Praise de lawd once mo' dat chile am sleepin', 
Guess I'd better git de bacon on ; 

Mah ole man'll soon be home to suppa, 
Fo' de blazin' sun am clean done gone. 

Mighty pert young coon yo' is, when sleepin', 
What a lovely picture yo' would make ! 

May de shinin' angels watch yo', honey; 
Fo' de lawd's sake, nigga, yo's awake ! 
6 



PAINTINGS 

To-day if I were given power 

To paint all scenes before my view, 

Fd pass the weed, but choose the flower, 
I'd leave the false, but take the true. 

I'd paint the sunshine, not the showers, 
I'd choose the laughter, not the tears ; 

Contented days and peaceful hours 
I'd take, and not the shadowed years. 

By words I'll place before your eyes 
The scenes that are to me so real, 

And trust that you, in glad surprise, 
Their loveliness and worth shall feel. 

How sweet to me the first fair scene 
Of happy children at their play, 

Where daisies deck a meadow green 
At evening's dawn each summer day. 

How beautiful the summer sky, 

Where blue is streaked with pink and gold ; 
The robins to their nest now fly, 

The playful lambs have sought the fold. 

The dew-drops on the flowers stand, 
And not another sound is heard, 

Save Mr. Frog's melodious band, 
A child's sweet laugh, a singing bird. 
7 



PAINTINGS 

Now, we shall pass the picture by, 

And let another meet our gaze, 
To find the one before our eye 

Is just as worthy of our praise. 

Beside a brook a maiden stands, 
Whose youthful face is very fair; 

The rose she holds within her hands 
Is not more pure, or free from care. 

A manly youth is by her side, 

And kindly they each other greet; 

Will life be rough, like restless tide, 
Or like the brook that's at their feet? 

The third scene shows a couple gray 
From faithful service, many years; 

They serve a Master day by day, 

Who gives them joy, and calms their fears. 

Each stooping form and silver hair 

A story tells of victory won, 
By pilgrims in a world of care, 

Whose journey, now, is nearly done. 

These paintings rare can ne'er be sold, 

But they've been seen, where e'er we've trod : 

The canvas is the earth so old, 
The brush is in the hand of God. 
8 



ONE TOUCH OF NATURE 

Young Tommy's chubby hand was out, 

The ferrule very near. 
The master's face was very stern, 

And Tom's face showed his fear. 

A bee within the window came 

His gentle task to do ; 
He softly touched the master's cheek, 

And quickly off he flew. 

Then Tommy doctored up the sting 
With mud from out the road, 

And many other little ways 
His childish pity showed. 

The stern look left the master's face — 

He did not strike the blow; 
With kindly, even chastened, voice, 

He whispered, "You may go." 

A very true old saying 'tis 

That I'll repeat again; 
That "just one touch of nature oft 

Makes all the world akin." 



WAIT; TRUST 

Thou art filled tonight with sorrow, 
Art discouraged now, and sad, 

And are fearing what the future days shall be, 
For thy strength is not sufficient 
For the long and tiresome task, 

And the future is securely hid from thee. 
Wait, my soul, a little longer, 

Resting in that thought of old ; 
That the hand which moulds the lily 

Shall thy life for thee unfold. 

Thou art filled with sad forebodings ; 
Thou hast sown, but do'st not reap, 

And thou hast not now the faith of days gone past. 
All thy path is hid in darkness, 
And thou can'st not look above, 

For thy mind with pain and doubt is overcast. 
Trust, my soul, a little better, 

Till the fiery trial is through; 
Shall the love that feeds the sparrow 

Fail to send thy portion, too ? 



10 



EVENIN' 

Thar, I'm glad this day is over, 
Glad once more to have it night, 

For our settin' room's so cheerful 
When the fire is burnin' bright. 

When a feller gits a paper, 

Sets right down afore that blaze, 

You jest bet he thinks that evenin's 
Beat the very brightest days. 

Rover likes it well as I do, 

Layin' thar upon the mat, 
Showin' of his teeth a little 

Now an' then, to scare the cat. 

Little woman's washed the dishes, 
Sewed a button on my shirt, 

Doctored weepin' Johnny's finger, 
Which he tumbled down and hurt; 

Picked up heaps of toys an school-books 

That was layin' all aroun' ; 
Rocked the baby 'till 'twas sleepin', 

An' then gently layed it down; 

Heard the children say "Our Father," 
Every bit, clean through, Amen, 

While a word to chubby Robby 
Quelled his mischief now an' then ; 
11 



EVENIN' 

Tucked 'em all in bed, an' kissed 'em 

In a lovin', tender way. 
Got a glass of milk for Molly, 

Brought an extry quilt fer Fay. 

When at last they all are sleepin' 
She comes down to set with me, 

An' we talk about the future, 
An' the days that used to be; 

An' of how thar ain't a treasure, 

Though you search the country through, 

Looks as good to me an' mother 
As a baby's half-worn shoe. 

When a sinful human bein' 
Loves his own like you an' me, 

Now an' then I git awond'rin' 
What Our Father's love must be. 



12 



LITTLE BY LITTLE 

Little by little the flowers grow, 

Little by little, and day by day. 
Little by little the moments pass; 

Hour by hour thus slips away. 

Little by little some kindly words 
Slowly, but certainly, touch the heart, 

Making the strangers of yesterday 
Very reluctant, today, to part. 

Little by little two friendly hearts 
Cling to each other e'en closer yet, 

Bound by a beautiful bond called love, 

Will there come one day when they'll forget? 

Little by little our castles fall ; 

Thus do the fondest of hearts grow cold ; 
Little by little our youthful dreams 

Leave we behind us, as we grow old. 

Little by little, why should we fret, 
Would we be better, if knowing all? 

Learning to travel on, step by step, 
Learn we as baby, or like him fall. 

Little by little we know our God, 

Seeing more plainly through each hard test; 
Moment by moment and day by day, 

Till all mankind shall in him be blessed. 
13 



HOPE 

Oh, it is sweet in life's fair morn, 

When all is fresh and pure and bright, 
To look upon life's day and hope 

To plan its hours with keen delight; 
And ne'er the song of waking bird 

So full of joy as is thine own; 
And ne'er such promise in the bud, 

As in the dream thy heart hath known. 

Oh, it is sweet when life's fair morn 

Has given way to heat of noon, 
Though budding promise of the flower 

And of the dream doth fade so soon, 
To wait in faith for setting sun. 

If, mid the cares which pain and fret, 
Like minor music in the soul, 

A song of hope is found e'en yet. 

Oh, it is sweet with life's day o'er, 

To seek the rest which is thy due, 
That rest which leads again to morn, 

And doth thy failing strength renew. 
If thou hast earned the simple hope 

That morn shall bring the perfect day, 
The sweetest strain for mortal ear, 

Within thy heart shall sing alway. 



14 



SUNSET IN THE COUNTRY 

The summer day was closing, 
The chicks had gone to rest, 

And the bright and scorching sun 
Had sunk into the west. 

The laborers left the hayfield, 
Where they had worked all day ; 

While the gentle breezes brought 
The fragrance of the hay. 

The frogs in yonder meadow 
Kept up their lonesome tune; 

We could hear the whip-poor-will 
That glorious eve in June. 

The cows in grand procession 
Came slowly through the dell, 

While, of course, the foremost one 
Was honored with the bell. 

The dog was close behind them, 

So dignified was he, 
And with rigor kept the line 

The way that it should be. 

And merry John with milk pail 
Came briskly down the lane, 

Briefly paused to close the bars, 
Then hurried on again. 
15 



SUNSET IN THE COUNTRY 

And hastening to meet him 

Came laughing Mary Lee. 
Luscious berries filled the pail 

She swung with childish glee. 

And through the pleasant meadows 
The happy children passed, 

They had formed a friendship sweet 
Which through the years would last. 

For once again at sunset, 

Long years from that bright day, 

Almost on the self -same sight 
The old sun sends its ray, 

For John from distant hayfield 
Comes whistling home once more, 

Mary, too, with babe in arms, 
Is waiting at the door. 

The cows again are coming 
The homeward way in state, 

And John The Second leaves his play 
And runs to close the gate. 



16 



HIRAM'S FAMILY 

Yes, Hiram's family's gittin' on, 

Thar doin' pretty fair. 
An', talkin' 'bout yer talents, 

They most all have thar share. 

Thar's Jane, she's been to Paris, too, 

An' calls herself Janet, 
An' as fer paintin' chiny, 

She'll du that 'are, you bet. 

Thar's Joe, a great perfessor now, 
An' on a fiddle plays, 
His hair is on his shoulders — 
He's tony in his ways. 

Then Annie, she's a singer, sir. 

She's had her voice plowed out, 
An' when she gits ter goin', 

I tell you, she can shout. 

Matildy, she does fancy work, 
She's at it night and day ; 

You can't set down 'thout findin' 
Her lace-work in the way. 

An' Hiram Junior I'll put up 

'Gin any in the land; 
I'll bet thar ain't a "fureignor" 

That he can't understand. 
17 



HIRAM'S FAMILY 

But Jennie's talent, I am sure, 

I can't say much about ; 
I railly guess that Jennie 

Ain't time to find her's out. 

She takes in washin's most the time, 
An' hustles, goodness knows, 

A-tryin' to git the money 
To keep the rest in clothes. 



18 



LIFE AND THE SEASONS 

The seasons, though fleeting they be, 
Are wonderfully precious to me. 

A likeness to life they show, 
From when, as a babe new born, 
We welcome the New Year morn, 

'Till gravely the year doth go. 



The bud is an emblem of youth, 
And also of springtime, in truth, 

And pleasant in both the hours; 
Yet nature doth temper sun 
When life is but just begun, 

With tears, like our April showers. 

The summer, like life in its prime, 
Our busy, our work-a-day time, 

When bud has to flower grown. 
But haste to enjoy to-day, 
For quickly 'twill pass away, 

E'er all of its joys you've known. 

When leaves become crimson and gold 
We know that the summer is old, 

And fall is to take its place. 
If flowers to-day have fled, 
The fruit of our toil, instead, 

We gather with happy face. 
19 



LIFE AND THE SEASONS 

In winter of life, and of year, 
We long for the shelter and cheer 

Of home, where our fruit is sent. 
And that which awaits us there 
Repays us for all the care 

And all of the toil that's spent. 



20 



IN THE FARMHOUSE 

The supper things are over, 
And Mandy's lit the light, 

And filled the stove up heapin', 
For it's awful cold tonight. 

And father's got the baby 
Beside that rousin' heat, 

While ma's a-darnin' stockin's 
With a speed than can't be beat. 

Old Ned's put up the bundles 
He's brought us from the store; 

The boys are playin' marbles 
On that newly-polished floor. 

There's laughter from the parlor, 
The lamp's a-burnin' bright ; 

That feller from the city 
Is a-visitin' May tonight. 

The watch-dog, black and shaggy, 
Lays stretched out on the mat, 

And seven yaller kittens 
Are tryin' to fight the cat. 

And my, the wind howls awful, 
But hear the kettle hum; 

Now Pete has split the kindlin' 
And is makin' the banjo thrum. 
21 



IN THE FARMHOUSE 

I see it all before me, 

With mingled pain and joy, 
With all my heart I'm longin' 

To be back again, a boy. 



22 



POOR LITTLE COON 

Pore little coon yo' is 
To 'long to sich a dad, 

To tink ob yo' disgrace 

Des makes me downright mad. 

Now, cuddle down to rest, 
Yo' ain't to blame, fo' sho'. 

Yo' shant feel bad f o' whut 
Yo' low down pa don' know. 

Yo's gwine to build de fiah 
When yo's a gemman grown. 

Yo' won't let yo' ole ma 
Do all de wash alone. 

What dat yo' say, ole man, 
Yo' jes' foun' fifty cents 

Right plain afore yo' eyes 

Down dar by Jackson's fence? 

I's proud ob yo', 'clar for't. 

Yo'll be a gemman soon; 
We's pleased wif yo' fo' sho', 

Now ain't we, little coon? 

Dar, little coon, go sleep 

An' dream ob pore ole ma ; 
Shut up yo' eyes, little coon, 
Dream lubly about yo' pa. 
23 



POOR LITTLE COON 

Mose Johnson, what yo' say, 
Yo' done gone spent it all? 

Well, membrin' all yo' past, 
I ain't much s'prised at all. 

Yo' ain't de kin' to wuk, 
Yo' ain't de kin' dat steals, 

But yo's de kin' dat eats; 
Yo' ain't too tired fo' meals. 

'Clar for it, I is 'shamed 
Yo' am a chile ob his, 

Yo' is in deep disgrace, 
A pore little coon yo' is. 



24 



MY DREAM 

I had a dream last night, 
And feel enraptured yet; 

It was a heavenly sight 
I care not to forget. 

I saw the Holy King 
Upon the Judgment Seat, 
And heard the angels sing 
In voices, oh, so sweet! 

But, coming from the earth, 

There rose upon the air 
Some pleasant sounds of mirth, 

Some angry words, some prayer. 

Four prayers I took away 
To cheer me on for years, 

So filled with love were they, 
So filled with faith, not fears. 

And one came from a child, 

Who scarce could lisp her name; 

From rosy lips that smiled, 
The simple message came. 

A young priest said his prayer, 

A rabbi followed next. 
A parson told his care, 

While bending o'er his text. 

25 



MY DREAM 

The Father King above 

Was touched with every need, 
He saw the faith, and love, 

Despite the faults in creed. 

His children, often blind 
To His most holy will; 

Yet glad His smile, and kind, 
They were His children still. 



26 



TO-MORROW 

We're going to be more patient on the morrow, 
We're going to be more kind and sweet ; 

We're going to bring a little sunshine 
To every one with whom we meet. 

I wonder, when the sun sets on the morrow, 

If we will find that this is true, 
Or find tonight's resolve forgotten 

Before we've lived a half day through? 

I wonder if we would not have less trouble 

In doing what we know is right, 
If we could just forget to-morrow, 

And say, "I'm going to try tonight." 



27 




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